A New Orleans teenager has been found guilty of murdering grandmother Linda Frickey who had one of her arms torn off in a violent carjacking in March last year.
John Honore, 18, turned down a plea deal that his accomplices took, risking life in prison instead. It took a jury less than four hours to convict him on Monday.
Frickey, 73, had been leaving a local business when the gang of teens approached her on March 21, 2022, at about 1.30pm.
The drove with her body still in the car, trapped by her seatbelt, until one of her arms was severed. It was one of the most violent car jackings the city has ever seen.
John Honore, 18, was convicted of second degree murder for the horrific 2022 killing. He now faces life in prison
Linda Frickey, 73, was killed in the savage attack. She had been driving when the gang of youngsters approached her and tried to toss her from the car
Briniyah Baker, 17, Lenyra Theophile, 16, and Mar'Qel Curtis (pictured) pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter Monday
Three other youngsters took plea deals that involved a conviction for manslaughter and a 30-year prison sentence.
They are Briniyah Baker, 17, Lenyra Theophile, 16, and Mar'Qel Curtis. All four were arrested last year after police shared surveillance footage of them on the day of the attack.
One of the girls' mothers marched her to the police station after recognizing her in the surveillance footage.
Earlier this month, all three were given 20-year prison sentences.
Honore was convicted of second-degree murder and will now face a mandatory life sentence.
His attorneys tried to plead his case, claiming he was an idiotic adolescent who didn't have the ability to make decisions knowing the weight of their consequences.
In a letter to Frickey's family, he begged for mercy.
'To the family of Ms. Linda Frickey, I am John and I am so sorry I apologize for you having to go through what you are going through. No person's family should have to go through that type of hurt.
Surveillance video showed the teens getting into Frickey's gray SUV, before her arm caught in the seatbelt and she was dragged down the block
The grandmother screamed for her assailants to let her go before her arm was severed and clothes were torn off
Honore wrote a letter to Frickey's family to beg for mercy
'I made the biggest mistake of my life that day. I think about what you and the family may be going through every day. I say the 'our father' prayer every day and night.
'I ask for forgiveness everyday. I have wanted to write you all a letter for a long time but I didn't know what to say and I still don't know what to say.
'I just want you to know sincerely I am sorry.
'I know words may change how you feel but I want you to know that I'm aware of how serious this is and I think I am doing the right thing.'
After his conviction, members of Frickey's family celebrated.
'I hope he feels the fear that she had in her heart that day. I hope he feels the pain and he hears himself scream for mercy and it doesn't come,' one relative said.
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